Hawaii Volcano Eruption... Lava Surpasses Empire State Building Height
by Lim Juhyeong
Published 12 Mar.2026 10:47(KST)
Eruption of Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii
One of the World's Most Active Volcanoes
In Hawaii, United States, a lava fountain from a volcanic eruption has reached a height close to that of the Empire State Building (approximately 380 meters).
According to NBC News in the United States on March 11 (local time), an eruption occurred the previous day at Kilauea volcano, located at the eastern end of Hawaii Island in the state of Hawaii. According to the United States Geological Survey, which measured this eruption, this marks the 43rd eruption at Kilauea. The eruption began at 9:17 a.m. on March 10 and lasted for about nine hours, ending at 6:21 p.m. that day.
The lava emitted by the volcano was measured at up to 1,300 feet (about 396 meters). This surpasses the height of the top floor of the Empire State Building, falling just short of its total height including the spire (443 meters).
On this day, volcanic ash columns reaching up to 9.1 kilometers in height were also emitted from two craters at Kilauea volcano. As a result of the eruption, volcanic ash accumulated up to 18 centimeters high at a nearby observation deck.
The Hawaii Volcano Observatory of the United States Geological Survey raised the aviation and volcano alert levels to red, and Hawaii state authorities closed nearby Highway 11. The Geological Survey warned, "Debris the size of a soccer ball or smaller has been observed in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park," adding that this is "creating hazardous road conditions."
Kilauea volcano is the second largest volcano in Hawaii and is considered one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Since the first eruption began on December 23, 2024, intermittent lava fountains have continued to be observed.
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